Strict penalties would be invoked against civil servants, companies and their staff who were found to be indulging in bribery or other corrupt practices, said Li Ping, director with the Shenzhen Construction Bureau.

Penalties would include the invalidation of business qualifications and licenses.

The campaign is part of the central government's effort to wipeout commercial corruption, including the health sector, so the principles of clean government and fair competition are observed.

The crackdown in Shenzhen would focus on corruption involving project tenders, materials procurement, construction processes, building inspections and other areas prone to commercial corruption.

Evidence of corruption would be investigated thoroughly and offenders prosecuted, Li said.

The building inspection authority would take measures to strengthen financial management and supervision of key positions to prevent corruption.

Corruption is believed to be prevalent in China's construction industry, which boasts half the world's new buildings completed every year. Enditem